Sometimes the only thing stopping us from being more creative is ourselves. Specifically, it’s that we don’t know how to do what it is we want to do.
I’m the type of person who perpetually has ideas going on in my head. Whether it’s an invention, or a different way to layout a space, or an organization to help those in need. However, I’m often lacking the skills necessary to make those dreams happen. I have a half-dozen inventions lying around that never made it past the first few stages of development, because I lacked the skills to bring them into the world. Whether that’s design, user interfaces, or electrical engineering understanding, it sits there an unfinished version of what I know could be so much more.
I bet the same could be said for certain areas of your life. You look out a window at a perfect sunset, and wish you could whip out your camera to capture it, but know that in the end it won’t look nearly as amazing as it does in that moment. Not that someone couldn’t get a great shot, just not you. Maybe you’ve been working on writing that amazing book that’s been floating around in your mind, but you can’t seem to get the words out in the right order, or find ways to be as descriptive as you need to be.
Taking a class might be the thing that pushes those creative ideas out of your head and into the real world. Fortunately, we live in a time when it has never been easier to learn something new. Whether that’s through self-directed learning with resources like Wikipedia and YouTube, to more structured online classes, there is very little you can’t learn given enough time. There are also more traditional routes, like tutors and continuing education classes. Whether it’s in person or online, there are a myriad of ways to get the knowledge you need.
Want to learn to make delicacies like the ones you see in the window on your way to work? Take a cooking class. Want to make your home look like the ones you see in the magazine? Join a style forum to learn from others. Want to build the next Microsoft? Learn to code from Khan Academy.
Thanks, Ryan. We’re blessed with a super-abundance of instructional options in our time. The availability of options is not our limitation — it’s following through on desire to action, and getting through the uncomfortable early stages of learning.
Great post, Ryan. I have been wanting to take cooking classes and dance lessons with my wife, and the first step may be to just watch videos on youtube. Thanks for this encouragement.
Well said. I’m a life learner, for sure. I have learned all of the following through means other than traditional education (i.e., either self-taught, reading books, Internet instruction, private lessons, etc.): graphic design; coding and web programming; sound recording, editing and mixing; photography, photo editing and restoration; all things social media; how to write, format and market my book; several languages; ballroom dance styles; how to die various knots, including a full Windsor necktie knot and a bow tie. The list goes on and on. We truly have unparalleled opportunity; as some others have already noted, all that holds us back is desire paired with action.
For those who feel the desire but find the action step overwhelming (on any matter in life, really), just ask yourself, “What is the VERY NEXT THING I’d need to do, however small, to get closer to my goal?” Don’t look a year or a month or a week down the road. Don’t wonder if you’ll understand the process. Just focus on the FIRST small step. Do that. Once you have, ask the same question again, and repeat.
Khan Academy is a great resource. I’ve used it a few times for various things.
I fully agree. I’d add that sometimes the best learning is by doing the thing, even if less skillfully. I did it myself when moving into design business from being an IT guy. Experience is great teacher, too. Although taking a teacher can be much more time effective.